Former Richmond star Bachar Houli highlights work with marginalised youth after retiring from AFLAFL star Bachar Houli has made a surprise career move, outlining his next step during a major speech in Melbourne.
Holly Hales
HeraldSun
December 15, 2021 Former AFL star Bachar Houli has revealed his first major move post-football, entering a new employment partnership through his foundation.
The Richmond veteran, who retired after the 2021 season, has joined forces with Lendlease and his old club to help diverse youth enter the construction industry.
As part of the initiative, young Victorians from under-represented backgrounds are encouraged to join the typically traditionally homogeneous sector.
“I think (working towards diversity) comes from the sincerity within us and wanting to see our youth, both male and female, grow into society and feel like part of society,” he said.
“The reason we introduced a program that was different to football and leadership is because we’ve seen underrepresentation for young Muslims who have names such as Mohammed, Ahmed walking around trying to get a job in an industry, but they were rejected because of their name.”
Mr Houli, who was the AFL’s first devote Muslim player, started his eponymous foundation almost a decade ago with the aim to develop young leaders within the Islamic community.
“In 2012 we started with two staff members. We’ve grown to 12 unique programs and 10 full time staff, and reach over 5,000 participants,” he said.
“We felt like it was a need to dig deep and give our fellow younger Muslims an opportunity in the work force and give them an opportunity to feel like part of society. They’ve got a right to.”
Lendlease’s general manager for building in Victoria, Bill Alexandrakis, said the partnership would ensure the construction industry fulfils its “responsibility” to encourage a diverse workforce.
“As an industry of over 1.1 million people, we have a responsibility and obligation as a major Australian-owned contractor to provide long-term career pathways for priority cohorts,” he said.
“We must ensure the talent and workforce across our projects reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate.”
https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/former-richmond-star-bachar-houli-highlights-work-with-marginalised-youth-after-retiring-from-afl/news-story/c9a0ad09254365bf1c264c78cff42ca7
